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A few days in Nottingham visiting the Nottingham CAMRA Robin Hood Beer & Cider Festival. Thursday I visited Micropubs from Langley Mill back into Nottingham and Friday to Hucknall and Bulwell. Over the 3 days I visited a number of pubs, micropubs and brewery taps in Nottingham so thought it would be easier to put them all into one post. So here is my selection of visited pubs.
You can also read up on some I visited last year aswell – https://micropubadventures.co.uk/2022/10/14/14-10-22-nottingham/
BeerHeadZ – Nottingham
The first calling point was to “BeerHeadZ – Nottingham”. A conversion of a cabbies locker and rest room which is adjacent to the main railway station entrance. A one roomed small pub with a simple layout utilising original features. A warm friendly welcome in here as every time I have visited in the past. Great to drop in before getting a train or tram. A small seating area outside at the front of the pub.
3 cask ales on the bar, alongside a number of keg and cider options. A large can and bottle list to choose from aswell. Slightly less on than normal today but thats to be expected after the rush of people heading to and from the beer festival. I went with “Bonny Best” from Ilkeston based Red Dog Ales. A traditional English Bitter, a lovely copper colour and easy drinking.
Barley Twist
A short walk passing the railway station heading towards the centre brings me to “Barley Twist”. A small craft ale venue run by local Castle Rock Brewery. A really quirky and well laid out bar with seating inside and out, bar at the rear and a small function room that can be hired downstairs. A screen in the bar shows train departures so you dont miss yours.
A great range of keg beers to choose from on the bar (12 in total), alongside a cask ale. Fridges next to the bar stocking a wide range of styles in both cans and bottles to drink in or takeaway (30% off takeaway). I went with “Petite Plum” from East Sussex based Burning Sky Brewery. A twist on their barrel aged Petite Saison, having being rested on second wash plums adding a light, refreshing and fruity flavour. Really nice drink!
Vat & Fiddle
I didn’t get around to visiting this time but the other side of the railway station is Castle Rock Brewery and their pub the “Vat & Fiddle”. A great pub with lots of beers on the bar and ample indoor and outdoor seating. One to checkout if you get time.
Canalhouse
A walk towards the centre again and located next to the the Canal is a pub called “Canalhouse”. The building is a former Waterways Warehouse that was bult in 1895, and a canal museum after this, and is a Grade II Listed building. The beer garden can be seen to the top right of the first photograph taken from the same road Nottingham Station is on.
As you enter the pub you have to walk over a small bridge, this is where the adjacent canal runs into the pub. There is still a barge moored underneath you,. What a great feature to have at the entrance to a pub!
A fantastic line up of cask and keg beers, along with a wall of ciders. Lots to choose from for everyone. I had a beer from Hitchin based Crossover Blendery, “Bramble, Thorn and Briar (2022)”. A blend of 1, 2 and 3 year old golden ales, fermented and aged in French oak barrels and refermented on organic raspberries and blackberries. Really tasty and fruity. Great beer garden on the canalside to enjoy aswell.
Angel Microbrewery
Lace Market area next and my first call being to “Angel Microbrewery”. This was refurbished in Spring 2016 and is a Grade II listed building. Formerly named “The Old Angel”, which has stood in the area since at least the 1600’s. It has seen former uses as a Brothel and a Chapel. It was the site of 2 murders in the 1700’s, one being a policeman and the other being a prostitute. The building itself is rumoured to be haunted by the ghost of the young prostitute. Under the pub lay caves hollowed out in the shape of a crucifix.
A great selection of beers on the bar in here. 8 cask beers including two from the one site Micro Brewery, alongside 8 keg beers and a cider. Two of the keg beers brewed on site as well. I went with a sour from Langley Mill based Bang the Elephant Brewery. “Blue Steel”, a interestingly coloured Blue Raspberry and Coconut Sour.
Neon Raptor Taproom
A walk down to the Sneiton Market area, lots of small independent shops, bakery, chocolate shop and more located around here. “Neon Raptor Taproom” is located. A popular taproom with seating both inside and outside.
Lots of choice of styles in here with 12 keg lines full of beer, alongside a fridge packed full of cans from their other releases. Wanted to try the newly released Halloween Beer “Vampyre Disco”, a Peanut Butter and Jelly Sour at 10%. Could really smell the peanut butter, great taste.
Partizan Tavern
A short walk over the road brings me to “Partizan Tavern”, a warm welcome in this Micropub I had the pleasure of visiting last year. This opened in July 2021 formerly being a bookmakers. The name is taken from the Serbian football club that the landlord visits regularly. A collection of Partizan Belgrade FC programmes have been hung on the wall.
A fantastic range of drinks available in here, 4 cask ales, 5 keg beers, along with ciders and a huge range of bottles and cans to drink in or takeaway. Something to suit everyone. I went with a beer from a new brewery for me based in Dinnington, South Yorkshire. “Swap Thing” from Ticking Clock Brewery. A delicious and tasty New England IPA hopped with Mosaic and Idaho 7.
Liquid Light Brewery Taproom
My last call of the 3 days in the centre was to the “Liquid Light Brewery Taproom”, located on a small industrial estate about a 7/8 minute walk from the Partizan Tavern. This opened its doors in June 2021. Great surroundings the the brewery equipment at the back of the unit.
Some great beers on here both cask and keg. 8 keg beers alongside 4 cask beers (one had just run off). A good range of styles aswell. I started with “Day Tripper”, a juicy hoppy pale, packed with flavour, and followed with “Hazy Cosmic Jive”, a delicious New England IPA which gives some great tropical fruity notes.
Mocky-D have a food van run by Claire and Ben, which is in the brewery tap serving some great Vegan food. Some amazing flavours and all freshly made. Mac+Cheese with Bacon Bits and Black Onion, and a Cheeseburger. Very reasonably priced. Don’t miss out.
Micropub Adventures 